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“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” – Andy Warhol

An old Fram oil filter commercial…

had a mechanic speaking into the camera saying “You can pay me now, or you can pay me later.” They were encouraging regular oil changes to avoid major engine damage.

It highlights the fact that we’re all going, going, going…and it’s the squeaky wheels that get the grease. Unless they aren’t audibly squeaking, until they fall off.

Look, we’re all doing our best, for sure. And, managing the tide of squeaky wheels in life is enough of a chore itself. The already known issues to be resolved can fill our calendar.

And, at the same time, it pays to put a little effort toward detecting inaudible squeaks before they eat away the axle and leave us stranded by the side of the road.

Is your relationship in good shape? Whether yes or no, what do you have to gain but perhaps more mileage by doing an earnest and open check-in with your significant other?

Is your health vibrant? Whether yes or no, what do you have lose by getting that next-level checkup, fitness schedule or eating plan set up?

Is your career on track? Whether yes or no, how could it hurt you to grab a private one-to-one with your boss and show interest in how you’re performing? Much less, how smart might it be to ready yourself for a career shift right now even if you don’t see any writing on the wall?

Similarly, though you may have 100% of your troubleshooting in life focused on the squeaky wheels, it pays to find another 10% to put toward uncovering the silent one that’s ready to crack…and grease it forward.

Which life wheel does it pay to grease forward today, whether you think it needs it or not?

LAST CALL FOR EARLY-BIRD DISCOUNT! ALL ABOARD!If the career wheel needs immediate or pro-active grease, take advantage of the early-bird discount (ending this week) for The 2-Day Career Relaunch Workshop happening May 10-11 in Irvine, CA. Whether it’s a career change or new business strategy, what might you gain from a good lube job?

On the one hand, we’re all inspired by the idea of rejuvenation and new possibilities.

On the other hand, renewal requires that something be given up and/or (literally or metaphorically) destroyed.

Consciously and proactively giving up the old (i.e., comfortable, known, routine, standard, regular, customary, accustomed, normal, usual, ordinary, established, typical…you get the point) for the new is not always easy.

It requires action, vs simply waiting for something to change.

Alas, and regardless, things will change on their own if not proactively steered, because we all know that shift happens.

But that kind of “renewal” is not always as pretty and inspiring as we’d like.

When out on major layoff assignments during The Great Recession of 2008-2009, I’d meet with employees just after they’d been riffed (reduction in force). Some would be highly distraught and even in tears.

I’d ask, “Did you ever think of something beyond this place in terms of your career?”

Too often they’d say “Sure, I’ve been wanting out of here for years”…even as they took another tissue from the box.

So, shift happened, and caught them broadside, instead of being in the driver’s seat.

Even though they’d been inspired to change for a while, it took circumstances to force that change. So, instead of a carefully planned and consciously designed renewal, it was messy and void of any direction.

Apply this to whatever area in which the shoe fits, but ask yourself: “If I don’t consciously renew in [X] area, what’s it going to look like in 6 months? Is that the picture I want? Does that inspire me?”

If the answers are “Not good” “No” and “No”…why not use this traditional season of revival and awakening to point a conscious renewal in that direction?

Wishing you all the best in this time of high renewal holidays.

If the career or business area is one in which a renewal is ripe, take advantage of the limited-time early-bird discount for The 2-Day Career Relaunch Workshop happening May 10-11 in Irvine, CA. Whether it’s a career change or new business strategy, a conscious renewal beats a bag of bricks any day.

Got conscious renewal?

“There are some things one can only achieve by a deliberate leap in the opposite direction.”- Franz Kafka

“You too are a brand. Whether you know it or not. Whether you like it or not.” – Marc Ecko

The idea of branding…

is mostly associated with the world of trade and commerce.

Obviously, having a well-recognized and respected brand among competitors is worth a fortune…while a soiled brand can be rendered worthless.

Folks in the career space and “thought leadership” learned a while ago that, just as companies nurture brands which have them stand out, having a personal “brand” is a key differentiator.

Being able to distinguish, in a key phrase or title, what it is that distinguishes YOU (your talent, your abilities, your special sauce) from others can make the difference between getting the call or referral or remaining in the pool of unnoticed.

But, if we go even more basic than career and thought leadership, no matter who you are or what you do, as the quote says above, you are a brand…whether you like it or not.

People talk. And they talk about others. How they will talk about you is your brand.

On the one hand, it’s always good to remember, as the title of a book by Terry Cole-Whittaker states, “What You Think of Me is None of My Business.”

However, IF, in fact, you’re going to do business — the business of business, the business of relationships, the business of love, the business of community, etc. — then it may pay to be aware of and/or impact the drift of your brand.

Your mission today, should you choose to accept it (and are able to handle it gratefully and gracefully): ask a few people to be really straight with you about their impression of your “brand.” In other words, find out what it is that is said when you’re not in the room.

A challenge not for the faint of heart, but ripe for painting a new start.

Your personal brand is capturable and refinable. Want to discover it? Take advantage of the limited-time early-bird discount for The 2-Day Career Relaunch Workshop happening May 10-11 in Irvine, CA. Whether it’s a career change or new business strategy, your brand is worth making memorable.

Got brandedness?

“Branding is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” – Jeff Bezos

“Got’sta make hay when the sun is shinin’ Can’t waste time when it comes time to dance.”- The Heart, Needtobreathe

Sometimes having it good…

creates its own thermostatic stopping point.

You know, like the thermostat on your air conditioner or heater sets a bottom or high point beyond which it won’t keep cooling or heating.

Often, we don’t have things as much as we’d like them, so we strive to get to that next level (in career, life, etc) out of a position of weakness and want.

Yet, when we get to (or close to) that desire, it can sometimes turn into a stopping point on the high end.

For example, when it comes to, say, your career, you may have some goal and you strive to achieve it. If you’re smart, once you do, you set higher goal, vs sitting comfortably in that now old goal.

Employment rates are at an all-time high. If you’re currently settled, rather than sit back in a role or goal of the past, this could be the best time to “trade up” by either finding a better opportunity in the same career or finally making that long-pondered switch to a different career…and possibly better work-life balance.

If your business is booming, it may be the best time to use that upward thrust to develop methods and systems to go to an even higher level…vs simply try to stem the tide.

It’s easy to get others (or ourselves) to make changes when they’re necessary.

It’s a whole other thing to get others (or ourselves) to make changes aspiration-proactively.

Yet, operating from strength is a vastly different experience than operating from weakness.

What in your life, right now, is about the best you could ever imagine it being? Now, how can you take it up a level?

Want to take a good career and make it better? Or a stalled career and have it re-launch? Take advantage of the limited-time early-bird discount for The Career Captain Relaunch Program taking place on May 10-11 in Irvine, CA. Whether it’s career change or a business boost, there’s a next level waiting for you.

Got proactive aspirations?

“If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results.” – Jack Dixon

Once, on a much needed vacation, while sunning in a cabana on a beach in Mexico, a random stranger in swim trunks walked by. We started to chat, about nothing initially. And we casually chatted more later in the hot tub.

That person turned out to be one of the top corporate coaches in the world, the person who the CEOs of big name companies turn to.

He’s now in my phone and will answer any time I call…which I do sparingly.

That time of simply chilling, when I would least expect to make a connection, moved my career and relationships forward.

Guess what? Spring is in the air, and summer is coming. Who knows who will be sitting beside you in an outdoor cafe, or strolling by in swim trunks. Just when you least expect it, you could have an opportunity to connect in a way that moves your career and life forward.

If you’re prepared.

Learning the power of connectedness, the energy of intentions, and how relationships make everything move is good preparation.

Today might be a good time to remember that you’re not alone…and that you never know who is behind you in line for coffee, working out beside you at the gym, or sitting beside you at lunch.

Because, just when you least expect it…

If you want to make the most of spring in the air and the upcoming summer months to move your career and life forward, take advantage of the limited-time early-bird discount for The Career Captain Relaunch Program taking place on May 10-11 in Irvine, CA. Whether it’s a career change or a business boost, there’s a lot of opportunity to be seized…if you’re prepared.

Got least expect its?

“The best kind of relationships begin unexpectedly. When you get the astonished feeling and everything happens so suddenly…It comes to you just at the right time; the time you never thought it would have.” – Unknown

“The more you see yourself as what you’d like to become, and act as if what you want is already there, the more you’ll activate those dormant forces that will collaborate to transform your dream into your reality.” – Wayne Dyer

The power of intention is often discussed…

as if it’s something you’re either operating by or not.

When someone says they’re being “intentional,” it sounds as if they are…-really applying themselves-putting major focus on what they want-becoming clear and pointed in creating a result

The only thing missing from that explanation is that being “intentional” is actually happening ALL the time, not just when we’re conscious of a desire.

A great mind once said “If you want to know what you’re committed to, look at what you’ve got.”

That’s a sobering thought. What it means is that we’re ALWAYS operating out of an intention, whether it be a conscious one (e.g., a result-focused desire) or an unconscious one. And, regardless of whether that intention is conscious or not, there is a specific result that reflects back on that overt or (more often) hidden intention.

To consider that you’re always creating something, proactively or by default, has you think twice about not thinking, doesn’t it?

The good news is, if you don’t like a result you’re currently experiencing, you can always dig underneath to find the sourcing intention of that undesired result.

Perhaps easier than it sounds…but definitely doable

The playful exercise for today is to simply become aware of when you think you’re being intentional and when you seem to not be. In those place where you are, what are you getting? In those places where you seem to not be, what are you getting?

Conscious power of intention: if you’re reading this, it must be a game you’re intending to play.

Got a result that doesn’t look aligned with what you really want? Schedule a complimentary 15min chat, or go here for a menu of everything from career to business to life-purpose support services. Definitely come with an intention to see the real intention.

Got nothing unintended?

“Intention is one with cause and effect. Intention determines outcome.” –Oprah Winfrey

“Pivoting is not the end of the disruption process, but the beginning of the next leg of your journey.”- Jay Samit

Pursue, pursue, pursue…

then pivot!

Taking an honest look at what you want to achieve, what you’ve noticed as you’ve taken action, and whether continued pursuit is warranted is not easy…but necessary.

There’s so much said about maintaining a relentless eye on the prize. And we don’t want to diminish the power of commitment. And yet…

We all have to make choices. Being responsible means being able to respond. A charging rhino with its head down is not able to respond because it’s not looking…at the forest OR the trees.

So, when and where do you call the shot on whether to pursue or pivot?

That’s the million dollar question. Millions have likely been lost or gained by answering it correctly or incorrectly.

No quick answer…but a few possible guidelines.

1) Did you actually take the actions necessary to pursue? If not, pursue with action.2) Have you gotten outside of your own analysis with other eyes and ears? If not, pursue with support.3) Have sufficient learnings justified the investments already made? If not, pursue for growth.

If yes to all of the above, you’ve earned the right to pivot. Pivot with pride into the next pursuit.

Again, no easy answer. Make up your own guidelines. But pursuing and pivoting without some semblance of rules wears out your navigation system.

Can you use a pursue/pivot partner? Schedule a complimentary 15min chat, or go here for a menu of everything from career to business to life-purpose support services. Conscious pursuit and pivoting are golden.

Got pivot power?

“‘Pivoting’ will become second-nature and ‘Fail early; fail often’ will become your life motto.” – Isabel Hirama

“You need to associate with people that inspire you, people that challenge you to rise higher, people that make you better. Don’t waste your valuable time with people that are not adding to your growth. Your destiny is too important.” – Joel Osteen

The pull is often to hibernate…

with our grand plans and visions for the future.

The last thing we want to be accused of is of being a pipe-dreamer, impractical, or having our head in the clouds.

Some of us are blessed with very close family and friends with whom we can share our dreams. Many are not.

Scripture tells us to avoid throwing “pearls before swine” and, therefore, many withhold to protect their visions from discouraging bullet-holes. It’s hard to think of family and friends as “swine”…but sometimes, when it comes to support, the shoe fits.

Problem is, when an idea or vision is kept to close to the chest, it often smothers for lack of air.

So, where do we give air to our dreams? With others who will treat them as sacred as we do.

The power of consciously designed association has been known by many, and is the benchmark of all who’ve chosen to “Think and Grow Rich.”

At first, it feels a bit sketchy to lay our insides out on the table for others to see. But, when placed before an association of like-minded and like-committed folks, miracles can happen.

When will you start interviewing folks for your own personal mastermind?

What idea or inspiration of yours would be a terrible thing to waste?

For those local to Southern California, there will be an entrepreneur accountability group starting up in March, with an introductory event on Monday, March 4. See the details by clicking either link:LinkedInFacebook

Don’t buy into believing you’re in a pig pen. Consciously find those who will appreciate and polish your pearls. The world then becomes your oyster.

Have a pearl you want to polish? Schedule a free 15min chat, or go here for a menu of everything from career to business to life-purpose support services. The pearl-bearing shell that’s never cracked open benefits nobody.

Got pearl bearing association?

“The power of association is stronger than the power of beauty; therefore, the power of association is the power of beauty.”- John Ruskin

“Accountability separates the wishers in life from the action-takers that care enough about their future to account for their daily actions.”- John Di Lemme

A good idea…

and a $1.85 will get you a cup of coffee.

A good idea with action will get you moving.

A good idea, with action, plus accountability will get you playing.

And, playing accountably with others brings ideas to results.

When it comes to entrepreneurship, many are too scared by statistics to take action on their good ideas. Sure, the SBA says 96% of all new businesses fail within 10 years…but I take issue with the word “fail.”

A 2013 study in the Journal of Applied Psychology says that real growth and learning actually comes from things not working out (i.e., “failure”), coming to assessments and conclusions based on those “mistakes,” and then implementing those new learnings in future situations.

The truth is that many successful entrepreneurs have a string of “failures” behind them. They start, fail, and start again. With persistent assessment and learnings, some reach success.

The question is, are you willing to get on that roller coaster for the thrill of the ride and the satisfaction of having played?

If so, you want to fill the other cars with fellow ride enthusiasts, because roller coasters are best enjoyed with others who will hear you scream and catch you if you start to fall out.

For those local to Southern California, there will be an entrepreneur accountability group starting up in March, with introductory events happening the next two Mondays. See the details by clicking either link:LinkedInFacebook

Whether your good idea is to create a business or otherwise shift life, keeping it to yourself will ensure an early grave.

Find folks to hold you to account for the idea graciously given you. Give it action. Give it accountability. Give it life.

Want to bring an inspiration to life? Schedule a free 15min chat, or go here for a menu of everything from career to business to life-purpose support services. Every inspiration deserves its birth canal.

Neither track is “correct,” and you might even, temporarily, start down one before choosing to jump track.

Yet, it’s pretty clear that one will, ultimately, leave you empowered, while the other will, ultimately, leave you disempowered.

Look, what will follow your ideal not turning out will initially seem “second-best”…but for only as long as you stay on Track 1.

The question is, how fast can you move yourself to second-best being best?

Want support in playing for something better, best, next best? Schedule a free 15min chat, or go herefor a menu of everything from career to business to life-purpose support services. You only lose when you stop playing.

Got best second-best?

“Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.”- John Wooden